Heart Protection

Chapter 31

As night fell, Wang Yu Luo started to get busy. The sound of classical instruments never ceased. It was lively scene full of music and dance. However the noise of the front courtyard didn't disrupt the peace of the back courtyard. It was like the middle courtyard screened out the noise. It preserved the night's tranquility in the back courtyard.

Yan Hui and Tian Yao were given a small building in the back couryard. Looking through the window, Yan Hui could see swaying silhouettes in Wang Yu Luo. She gobbled down some food: "When we're done eating, we're going to visit Wang Yu Luo."

Tian Yao raised an eyebrow. He didn't say anything but gave Yan Hui a subtle look.

Yan Hui turned her head back. Upon seeing his look, she put her bowl down: "What's with the look? What do you think I'm going to do? It's a gathering place for the officials and nobles in Yong Zhou City. It has alcohol and beauties. When they get all muddled from the drink and scenery, maybe we'll be able to snoop out some information."

That's true. This place was originally already a place to nose around for information.

Tian Yao looked at Yan Hui. His gaze shifted a little: "Didn't you tell your friend you won't investigate this matter?"

"When did I say that? I only told Xian Ge she didn't have to look into it. I didn't say I wouldn't....We need to go before those people get black-out drunk." Yan Hui shoveled two mouthful of food and gulped them down without chewing. Then without caring if Tian Yao had eaten his fill yet, she hurriedly pushed him out of the room. "I'm going to change. Then we can go."

Tian Yao didn't even get a change to put down his bowl and chopsticks before the door was shut in his face. He already got used to Yan Hui's impulsive and rash behavior. He wasn't the slightest bit angry. Tian Yao just looked down at his bowl of food and stood a little off to the side to finish it.

When he was thinking about returning the empty bowl to the kitchen, Yan Hui pulled open the door: "How do you do a man's hairstyle? Help me tie it."

Yan Hui was wearing an indigo changshan. It looked like she had bound her chest because it was flatter than usual. She was brushing her hair with a comb, but she just couldn't get the bun right. Yan Hui frowned and tried a few more times before letting go of her hair: "I can't do it. You comb it for me."

Yan Hui walked into the room.

Tian Yao stood there and stared, but in the end, he could only follow her in.

Yan Hui sat down in front of the dressing table. She brushed her her onto the top of her head and then passed the comb to Tian Yao: "Hurry up."

Tian Yao placed his bowl down and on the table and then stood behind Yan Hui. He subconsciously started to reach for the comb, but when he saw their reflection in the mirror, his hand suddenly stopped: "Brushing someone's hair is too intimate. It's sometime a wife, husband, or parent would do......"

"You've already bitten and laid on me. How would simply brushing my hair create any sparks between us?" Yan Hui rolled her eyes, cutting off Tian Yao's words: "Now you care about brushing hair? Don't worry, it's impossible something happen between us."

Tian Yao mulled over it.

True enough.

He took the comb from Yan Hui and gathered her hair without hesitation.

The two of them had an unusual relationship; each had their own plans. The current Yan Hui was completely immune to romance. For Tian Yao, he couldn't run away from it fast enough. It was exactly as Yan Hui had just said.

It was impossible for something to happen.

Tian Yao go rid of his minor worries for now. Little by little, he brushed out her hair. Then he gathered it at the top of her head and used a hair cloth to bind it.

He was completely engrossed in his task. His eyes never wavered away from Yan Hui's hair.

Yan Hui studied Tian Yao's appearance through the dressing table mirror. She never thought that as she got closer to him, he would turn out to be a careful, steady, and filial person. He truly was grateful toward the grandmother to raised him in Tong Lou Mountain. It was obvious he had a grateful heart......It could be inferred that he was a gentle demon twenty years ago.

But now......he had become someone who didn't even know how to smile, gloomy and indifferent.

Zhenren Su Ying could be pinned as the one who destroyed the skills Tian Yao learned over the millennium. She forcefully disrupted his life's path.

"Done." Tian Yao lifted his eyes and saw Yan Hui's slightly dazed expression in the mirror. He frowned: "Where's the hairpin? Put it in yourself."

He turned around and walked away.

Yan Hui randomly selected a hairpin and stuck it through her hair. She followed Tian Yao toward Wang Yu Luo.

Yan Hui took a fan and started to fan herself, taking on the appearance of a master from a rich family. All of the girls along the way recognized her. Each and every one laughed and called out: "Sir Yan, Sir Yan!"

 Yan Hui had no reaction at all. It was clear this wasn't the first or second time she had done this.

The pair walked into Wang Yu Luo. Yan Hui led Tian Yao up two stories. She found a place to sit and asked Tian Yao: "Teach me again the heart technique you taught me in the forest. The one that lets me sense far. I want to investigate."

 Tian Yao side-eyed her: "You should memorize things when I teach it to you the first time."

"That time I was in a rush. I learned it and used it. There was no time to take it to heart. This time I will remember it when you teach it to me."

Tian Yao taught it to Yan Hui again. As expected, Yan Hui learned it quickly. But this time, barely a moment had passed before Yan Hui immediately covered her ears: "Too noisy."

"Last time in the forest, it was quiet all around. Now we are in a noisy place, you have to control it even more now. Listen to what you want to listen. Look at what you want to look."

Yan Hui pulled a bitter face: "It's easier said than done." Although Yan Hui muttered that, she slowly put her hand back down and endured the clamour. Yan Hui slowly grew accustomed to the gaudy surroundings.

When all was said and done, Yan Hui learned very quickly. It wasn't long before Yan Hui learned to filter out what she didn't want to hear and focus on what she did want to listen to.

She tilted her hair and delicately started to search.

The girls' light laughter, the mens' arrogant words. Yan Hui heard it all, but not a single person talked about the demon trade. It was like no one in Yong Zhou City knew about this busineses.

Yan Hui frowned.

But at this moment, Yan Hui suddenly heard a slightly familar voice coming from Wang Yu Lou: "You really saw? She came here again?"

At the same time, Yan Hui looked out the door. She saw someone wearing silk embroidered clothes. He had a scholarly air.......A fatty walked into Wang Yu Lou. It was like some magical force. The chubby man looked toward the second floor and locked eyes with Yan Hui.

"Ah, another trouble came......" Yan Hui muttered without even realizing.

Tian Yao heard her words and followed her gaze. He also saw the round scholar.

The man clomped in, ignoring the gazes of everyone around. He swiftly went up the stairs and went directly to Yan Hui's side. He looked at Yan Hui: "Yan......Yan Hui." He was extremely stirred up. Even his words were unclear. He also sounded a little cautious: "You're back."

Yan Hui took a sip of tea. Only then did she turn to look at him: "So it turns out to be Sir Wang Peng Yuan. Long time no see."

Wang Peng Yuan's face turned red just from those words. He was speechless for a long time. Then, he stammered: "Long......long time no see. I heard you were here earlier, but I, I, I was busy. I couldn't see you. Today, today......"

"Today, I ought to be leaving." Yan Hui stood up and smiled. Then she reached out and took Tian Yao's hand. Tian Yao wanted to take his hand back, but Yan Hui held on tight. She turned and looked at Tian Yao. Her guileless smile had a hint of a warning. "Come with me, Tian Yao."

 Tian Yao: "......"

Wang Peng Yuan was stunned. He looked at Yan Hui holding Tian Yao's hand. Then his somewhat shocked gaze swept over Tian Yao's face: "Yan Hui......who.......who is he?"

"Oh," Yan Hui casually threw out her words: "I'm with him now."

Tian Yao's mouth twitched. Yan Hui turned her head to look back at him. She smiled through slightly clenched teeth: "Isn't that right, Tian Yao."

"......"

Wang Peng Yuan was thunderstruck: "To.....together? You two......"

Yan Hui ignored him. She led Tian Yao away, brushing past Wang Peng Yuan. He was left alone on the second floor. It seemed like he wanted to cry, but no tears fell.

When they reached the back courtyard, Yan Hui let out her breath: "We kept hidden when we came here in the morning. Who were we still discovered?"

Tian Yao shook off Yan Hui's hand and wiped his hand: "Was he one of the people you tricked into becoming gay?"

"The girls were just joking," said Yan Hui. "He knows I'm a female."

Tian Yao didn't have much interest in this topic. He just said something to make fun of Yan Hui before dropping the subject. He focused back on the actual reason why they were here: "Did you hear anything about the demon trade while we were in the building?"

Yan Hui shook her head: "The people who came to Wang Yu Lou are all rich and respectable people. They didn't mention the lust fragrance, let alone the demon trade. It's like no one in this city knows about it."

Tian Yao contemplated that for a few moments: "Or perhaps, they don't have the status to know about it?"

Those words made Yan Hui's eyes light up. According to what the fox demon said earlier, the fragrance was sold to nobility. After a fox demon was captured and their blood drained, it then had to be refined into the fragrance. When all was said and done, the amount of lust fragrance was extremely scarce. Even money might not be enough to buy it. You had to have the status......

"Wait," Yan Hui suddenly said. "Maybe he can get some information!"

"Who?"

Yan Hui pointed toward back where they came from: "The fatty just now." She continued: "Don't look at his size. He's actually the son of the mayor of Yong Zhou City. I heard before he has an older sister who entered the palace and became an imperial concubine. His dad controls Yong Zhou City. If you want to do business here, you definitely have to get permission from the dad."

This pricked Tian Yao's interest: "With that status, even though he more on the stout side, he could have any girl. Why would he like you?"

"Ling Xiao used to come to Young Zhou City pretty often to get rid of demons. Sometimes he would bring me along. Once time, the fatty fell asleep in the city outskirts and was captured by demons. I saved him. Then......ah, wait! What did you mean by those words? What's wrong with liking me?"

Tian Yao focused on the second floor: "Go ask him."

Yan Hui followed Tian Yao's lead and focused back on why they were here: "We can't today. It'll be too obvious why if we go back now. He'll come looking for me tomorrow. We'll lie in wait and seize the chance."

Yan Hui finished talking. She waited for a long time, but she didn't hear a reply from Tian Yao. She looked up and saw him staring at her.

Yan Hui thought that was strange: "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." Tian Yao turned his head. The corner of his lips quirked up. His voice was so soft that even the sharp-eared Yan Hui couldn't clearly hear him. "Just looking at a fool."

When Yan Hui and Tian Yao entered the back courtyard, they passed through a small room. The two of them didn't notice Wang Peng Yuan was behind them, hiding behind a pillar. He resentfully stared after those two. Even whey their figure could barely be seen, Wang Peng Yuan still didn't move.

"Sir......" A servent who stood off to the side softly called out. "We should go back now. Otherwise, Madam will be worried."

Wang Peng Yuan tightly pressed his lips together: "Yan Hui is mine."

"Sir?"

"I want to make Yan Hui mine." When he said those words, Wang Peng Yuan's eyes were red with jealousy.